About the Dordogne

First and foremost it is an area of outstanding natural beauty, one of the most beautiful in Europe, not dissimilar to Tuscany. This is a green land of farms, lovely wooded hillsides and gentle winding rivers.

It is still unspoilt, it is really rural France at its best. Long let it remain this way.

It is one of the gastronomic centres of France after Lyon, famous for its foie gras, duck, truffles, mushrooms and seafood. There are many excellent inexpensive restaurants in the area using traditional cooking recipes.

It is also well known for its wines. The world famous vineyards of Medoc and St Emilion are close by and the local wines of Bergerac, Yquem, Monpazier and Cahors are also excellent.

The area is rich in pageantry. The English ruled Aquitaine for 300 years in the Middle Ages under the Plantaganets and there are many castles, bastide towns and fortified churches to visit.

The Dordogne and Vezere valleys are world famous for the art of prehistoric man at Lascaux, known as the 'birthplace of art'.

Bergerac

Around Bergerac

Visit the old town and take a small trip on the Dordogne by boat. Market days are Saturday and Wednesday until 12 noon. Antique market the first Sunday of the month until 12 noon.

The 13th century bastide villages

Drive to Lalinde, then to Molieres, Abbe de Cadouin, Beaumont and Monpazier.

In Monpazier there are two marvellous shops: Intermede for Provencal material and lots of lovely presents (opposite the Hotel des Anglais) and the clocksmith who sells and repairs antique clocks in the village square. Eat at La Bastide.

Then go to Biron to see the chateau, eat or have a drink in the restaurant opposite the chateau.

Then go to Villereal, Castillones (you can eat at Les Remparts), Castillones and then back via Mouleydier.

If you have the energy you can also go to Eymet (eat at le Restaurant Italian des Arcades) and back via Bergerac.

Périgueux

Visit the old town , the cathedral and the Roman theatre. Market days are Saturday and Wednesday until 12 noon. You can combine Perigueux with a trip to Brantome and Bourdeilles.

Brantome and Bourdeilles

Brantome is known as the Venice of the Dordogne. Very lovely. Don't forget to go early evening so you can dine at Moulin des Abbayes and the nearby village and chateau of Bourdeilles is well worth a trip.

The Dordogne Valley

Go to Lalinde, Mauzac, Tremolat, Limeuil, Le Buisson, Siorac, Beynac, Roquegageac, Domme, Sarlat and then back via les Eyzies, Le Bugue, Pezuls, Sainte Foy de Longas and Liorac. Market day in Lalinde is Thursday am until 12 noon, one of the prettiest markets in the area. Lunch at la Forge. Sarlat has won a prize as the best preserved mediaeval village in France. Wonderful but best out of season as it gets very crowded. Market day is Saturday until 12 noon. Dine in Domme at L'Esplanade, which has marvellous views. You really need to do the Dordogne in at least two separate trips, since there is such a lot to see. Le Chateau de Beynac at sunset is spectacular (dine well at the Hotel du Chateau).

The Pre-historic caves

Drive via Liorac, Sainte Foy de Longas, Pezuls, Le Bugue to Les Eyzies and the caves then on to Lascaux, back via Tremolat and Lalinde.

The vineyards of Bergerac

Drive via Bergerac to Montbazillac (visit the chateau) and then to Pomport to a wine tasting at Chateau Belingard (Comtesse Sylvie de Bosredon) (call her before arriving on 05 53 58 28 03), Sigoules, Saussignac, Duras and then back via Eymet, (eat at Restaurant des Italians), then F14 and Mouleydier.

Drive via Bergerac and Saint Foy Ia Grande to St Emilion, stopping on the way at Velines LFB to buy Limoges porcelain at good prices. Just behind the gardens les Jardins de Sardy. Visit a lovely shop selling leather bags and belts right in the center of St Emilion. Lunch at L'Hostellerie de Plaisance in St Emilion or if not on the way back at Port Sainte Foy (Au fil de l'eau)

Additional sporting activities

Tennis:

Mouleydier, Lamonzie Montastruc, Lembras, in most small villages

Horseriding:

Grand Vignoble, Saint Julien de Crempse, Chateau de Tirgand, Creysse

Canoeing:

On the Dordogne or Vezere

Lake with Slides, Paddle Boats, Beach:

Pomport, Lanquais

Tenpin Bowling

Bergerac on the way to Bordeaux

Bicycling:

Hire mountain bikes at Lalinde. Instructress can accompany you for an extra charge.

Parachuting:

Bergerac airport.

Nightlife:

Discos:

Le Windsor, Bergerac

Cafes:

Old town Bergerac and Lalinde.

Fishing:

Dordogne river with license, purchased in Bergerac or at Moulin de Saint Pierre for trout.

Things To Eat

All of these restaurants, unless otherwise specified, offer Perigordian cuisine, e.g. foie gras ,confit de canard, magret de canard, crepes, truffles. All offer fixed price menus and a la carte. I have tried them all.

The Best, but Expensive

Tremolat 30 minutes drive

Le Vieux Logis

Part of the Relais and Chateaux chain

Tel: 05 53 22 80 06

Les Eyzies 40 minutes drive

Hotel du Centennaire

Another Relais and Chateaux establishment

Tel: 05 53 06 97 18

Brantome 40 minutes drive

Moulin de l'Abbaye

Tel: 05 53 05 80 22

Moulin du Roc

Tel: 05 53 02 86 00

Charbonnel Freres

Tel: 05 53 05 70 15

Domme 45 minutes drive

L'Esplanade

Tel: 05 53 28 31 41

Good for an Evening Meal

Bergerac

L'Enfance du Lard

For all kinds of meat cooked on an open fire, old town

Tel: 05 53 57 52 88

L'Imparfait

Good for fish, old town

Tel: 05 53 57 47 92

Le Plat dans l'Assiette

Great for lunch

Tel: 05 53 24 25 26

Sainte Foy Ia Grande 20 minutes drive

Au fil de l'eau

Terrace looking out over the river

Tel: 05 53 24 72 60

Tremolat

Le Bistro d'en face

Very well run brasserie

Tel: 05 53 22 80 69

Lalinde

La Forge

Old style French

Tel: 05 53 24 92 24

Hotel du Perigord

Classic French cuisine

Tel: 05 53 61 19 86

Monpazier

La Bastide

Traditional style French cooking

Tel: 05 53 22 60 59

Local, cheaper restaurants - but good!

Clermont de Beauregard 10 minutes drive

Moulin de Saint Pierre

Trout and duck specialities, lovely ambiance in old mill; children can fish for trout

Tel: 05 53 82 91 09

Creperie des Ramparts

Excellent for small children, situated in a lovely hilltop village. You must book